The number of live births was 508,685 in 2017, an increase of 0.1 per cent as compared to 508,203 in 2016. The crude birth rate (CBR) declined from 16.1 (2016) to 15.9 (2017) per 1,000 population.

More male babies were born than female

A total 262,575 (51.6%) male babies were born in 2017 as compared to 246,110 (48.4%) female babies. The CBR for both sexes declined from 16.1 per 1,000 population in 2016 to 15.9 in 2017.

Pulau Pinang continued to record the lowest CBR

Majority of the states recorded a decline in the CBR in 2017 as compared to 2016, except for Johor, Kedah, Kelantan and Perlis. Pulau Pinang continued to record the lowest rate at 12.3 per 1,000 population. On the other hand, W.P. Putrajaya registered the highest rate of 28.8 per 1,000 population.

The district of Kuala Terengganu recorded the highest CBR in 2017 with 26.4 per 1,000 population, followed by Marang, Terengganu (26.0) and Julau, Sarawak (24.7). Meanwhile, Kinabatangan, Sabah recorded the lowest crude birth rate of 4.5 per 1,000 population, followed by Putatan, Sabah (5.6) and Pakan, Sarawak (6.4).

FERTILITY

Total fertility rate (TFR) has been declining for the past 38 years

The TFR per woman aged 15–49 years has been declining from 4.9 babies in 1970 to 1.9 babies in 2017.

TFR for Malaysia has reached below replacement level of 2.1 since 2013 which indicates that the average number of babies born per woman throughout her reproductive life has been insufficient to replace herself and her partner.

DEATHS

The number of deaths and death rate increased in 2017

There were 168,168 deaths recorded in 2017. The crude death rate (CDR) increased from 5.1 (2016) to 5.3 (2017) per 1,000 population. Out of 168,168 deaths, 96,522 (57.4%) were male. The CDR for males and females showed a slight increase in 2017 as compared to 2016 from 5.7 to 5.8 and 4.5 to 4.6 per 1,000 population, respectively.

Only W.P. Labuan recorded a decrease in CDR

Majority states recorded an increase in CDR in 2017 as compared to 2016 except W.P Labuan. CDR for Perak, P. Pinang and Terengganu unchanged. Perlis recorded the highest CDR at 8.0 per 1,000 population while W.P. Putrajaya the lowest rate at 2.6 per 1,000 population in 2017

The Kanowit district in Sarawak recorded the highest CDR in 2017 with 9.1 per 1,000 population, followed by Sabak Bernam, Selangor (8.8) and Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan (8.7). Meanwhile, the Kinabatangan district in Sabah recorded the lowest CDR with 1.0 per 1,000 population, followed by Samarahan, Sarawak (2.1) and Kunak, Sabah (2.1).

NATURAL INCREASE

The number of natural increase in 2017 decreased by 1.6 per cent

The number of natural increase declined 1.6 per cent from 346,002 in 2016 to 340,517 in 2017. The crude rate of natural increase (CRNI) declined from 10.9 (2016) to 10.6 (2017) per 1,000 population.

The number of stillbirths in 2017 recorded an increase as compared to 2016 i.e. from 2,648 to 2,769. The stillbirth rate also increased from 5.2 (2016) to 5.4 (2017) per 1,000 births. The number and rate of stillbirths for male babies increased while female decreased during the same period.